factotum

[fak-toh-tuhm]

noun

1. a person, as a handyman or servant, employed to do all kinds of work around the house.

2. any employee or official having many different responsibilities.

factotum

/ fækˈtəʊtəm /

noun

1. a person employed to do all kinds of work

Word History and Origins

Origin of factotum¹

1560–70; < Medieval Latin, equivalent to Latin fac make, do (imperative of facere ) + tōtum, neuter of tōtus all

Word History and Origins

Origin of factotum¹

C16: from Medieval Latin, from Latin fac! do! + tōtum , from tōtus (adj) all

Example Sentences

During a chance encounter chauffeuring François Truffaut around, the master auteur told the desperate factotum that he had an eye for directing.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s worse than that: Like Stalin’s inner circle or a Bourbon king’s courtiers, Trump’s factotums seek to outdo each other in embracing absurd, impossible, offensive and dangerous ideas.

From Salon

Judge Sessions’ ruling will of course be appealed to a higher court by some factotum of the Trump regime, and then that court’s decision on that appeal will be appealed as well.

From Salon

Partway through the dizzying and appalling last two weeks of trade wars, courtroom battles, street abductions and social media posturing, these two Trump factotums wound up in a war of words.

From Salon

With a chemistry background, Jean assumed the role of winemaker, with Baker as general factotum.

From Seattle Times